Prasat Hin Mueang Tam

Prasat Hin Mueang Tam, also known as Muang Tum Sanctuary, is an ancient Khmer temple complex in Prakhon Chai district, Buriram province, in the northeast of Thailand. The complex is located at base of a hill 400 meters high, the Phanom Rung Massif, which is an extinct volcano. On the summit of the hill is another complex Khmer better known, the Prasat Hin Phanom Rung. Both Prasat, which formerly meant palace or temple, were built along the ancient Khmer road once linked Angkor Thom, Siem Reap in Cambodia today, to Phimai, an important city of the Khmer Empire, in the present province of Nakhon Ratchasima, to the north west. Prasat Hin Mueang Tam is one of the many temples built in the Angkor style during a time when most of the Isan region, north of the mountains Dangrek, was part of the Khmer Empire. The temple complex was built in Khleang and Baphuon style, in the late 11th century and early 10th, the usual dating of major Prasat Hin Phanom Rung. The Sanctuary was a religious site of Hinduism, presumably built for worshipping Shiva, although Vishnu was also worshipped there. Muang Tum temple complex has a flat rectangular shape, surrounded by boundary wall made of laterite, once decorated by Baralee, row of spires, in the middle there is a huge sandstone porch Gopura. The centre of each side of the wall contains an entrance, the Eastern one was the main entrance. In the interior of the complex is the central sanctuary surrounded by an outer enclosure and ponds filled with beautiful colourful water lilies. Large heads of Naga snakes are placed in the corner of each pond. Wide walkways lead from the outside to the inside rectangular enclosure. At the centre of each of the walls there is a Gopura, a entrance stone gate, leading to the inner sanctuary, where Hindu ceremonies were held. The lintels above the Gopuras contain depictions carved in high relief of Shiva, Uma and other Hindu mythological figures. The brick towers in the centre of the sanctuary are the most significant buildings of Prasat. There is a cluster of five towers standing on the same laterite base, divided into two rows, three in the front row and two in the rear row. The main tower of the centre was a representation of Mount Meru, the centre of the Hindu universe, and was the highest and most impressive. Unfortunately, of the five towers, this is the only one that has collapsed, and is still awaiting restoration. The inner sanctuary also contains a Bannalai, a library where the sacred Hindu scriptures were kept. Located just to the north of the Prasat there is Baray, a lake, called Mueng Tam Sea by local people, over 1000 meters long and 500 meters wide. Formerly used as a water reserve, symbolized the ocean surrounding Mount Meru.
Admission fee & Opening hours: The Khmer temple complex is open daily from 06:00 until 18:00. Admission fee is 100 THB. It is also available a combo-ticket that allows access to the nearby Phanom Rung Historical Park, it costs 150 THB.
Getting there: Buriram is the closest city, located about 60 Km north of Prasat Hin Mueang Tam. To reach Buriram you can use plane, bus, train or private car. Currently only Nok Air operates flights from this airport, with the connection to Don Mueang Airport of Bangkok. Busses to Buriram from Bangkok leave from the Northern Mo Chit Terminal, with departures every hour, the trip takes about 6 hours and the ticket costs from 250 to 300 THB, depending on the class. Trains from Bangkok to Buriram depart from the Hua Lamphong Station, are less frequent of buses, ten per day, employing the usual time, and the cost is similar, more expensive classes with bunks for sleeping. To reach Park from Buriram, if not you have your own vehicle, the best way is to hire a taxi or songthaew for whole or half day, even if you wanted to use the bus service from Buriram this stop anyway in Nang Rong or Prakhon Chai and from these towns should however hire a songthaew.
Path Bangkok - Buriram - Prasat Hin Mueang Tam: Prasat Hin Mueang Tam is located about 62 Km from Buriram city and 7 Km from Phanom Rung Historical Park. To reach Prasat Hin Mueang Tam from Bangkok follow Highway 1 until Saraburi, about 98 Km, fthen turn right into Highway 2, Thanon Mittraphap, towards Nakhon Ratchasima. At Amphoe Si Khew, 40 Km before Nakhon Ratchasima, turn right into Highway 24, which connects Nakhon Ratchasima to Ubon Ratchathani, and follow it for 138 Km until reaching Ban Tako Junction, then turn right onto Highway 2117 and proceed for 6 Km; when reaching Ban Ta Pek Junction, turn left onto Highway 2221 and follow it for another 6 Km to Phanom Rung Historical Park and then continue in the same road in direction to Prakhonchai District, down the hill of Rung Phanom, about 500 meters, and turn right on rural road and following the sign proceed to the last 4 Km to the temple. Total distance from Bangkok 337 Km. Buriram it's located about 60 Km north of Prasat Hin Mueang Tam. The easy route from Buriram to reach the temple is follow the Highway 218 until the Highway 24, after turn left and proceed in the same way as described for those coming from Bangkok.Read More